Islamic Philanthropy
Annual Report
Impact 2025

Dear Reader,

Assalaamu ʿalaikum,

Alhamdulillah, we are honored to participate in the launch of UNHCR’s 2025 Islamic Philanthropy Report.

Inspired by our faith, grounded in compassion, and fueled by innovation and global giving, Humaniti stands on the frontlines in a world increasingly defined by vulnerability, widespread, layered, and ever more acute. Our response to this reality takes many forms, and among our most urgent commitments is addressing one of its gravest manifestations: the global crisis of displacement and refugees.

Our endorsement of UNHCR’s Refugee Zakat Fund reflects this commitment. The Fund’s cash assistance programs place Zakat directly into the hands of refugee families, empowering them to prioritize their most pressing needs whether shelter, food, healthcare, or education. This freedom of choice restores a measure of control and humanity in lives otherwise marked by uncertainty. Yet we must acknowledge that current levels of cash assistance remain woefully insufficient. Addressing this gap requires focused, sustained, and collective effort from all stakeholders.

This challenge compels us to reimagine the potential of one of Islam’s oldest institutions: Zakat. Within a global Ummah of nearly two billion people lies extraordinary capacity to alleviate suffering. Yet this potential must be intentionally directed. It is a sobering reality that many of the world’s refugees come from within the same Ummah that possesses this immense capacity to respond. Humaniti is leading the call to ensure that Zakat reaches the most vulnerable refugee communities with excellence, credibility, transparency, and measurable impact.

UNHCR has demonstrated trust, innovation, and accountability in its Shariah-compliant governance of Zakat, ensuring that 100 percent of Zakat reaches eligible recipients. Through robust systems that assess and respond to varying levels of vulnerability, assistance is delivered in ways that uphold dignity, agency, and choice.

To truly harness the power of Zakat in transforming the lives of refugees and vulnerable communities, Humaniti recognizes the need for deep and expansive engagement with Muslim communities worldwide. In the face of unprecedented levels of migration and forced displacement, our mission is to inspire generosity where fatigue exists, to resist cynicism with principle, and to sustain hope through faithful resilience. This is the promise of Zakat when guided by intention, trust, and compassion.

We ask Allah to grant us steadfastness in purpose, compassion in service, and to make us a source of mercy wherever there is suffering.

With hope and gratitude,

M. Firaaz Azeez